Dallas

Dallas, Texas, is a city steeped in boxing history. It has been home to some of the sport's most memorable moments and legendary fighters. At the heart of this rich pugilistic tradition stands the iconic Dallas Sportatorium, a venue that has witnessed the rise of champions and the clash of titans since its inception in 1935. This octagonal-shaped arena, originally built by the Cox Fence Company, became a cornerstone of Dallas' boxing scene, hosting countless bouts that etched themselves into the annals of the sport.

The Sportatorium's journey through boxing history was not without its challenges. In 1953, a fire, rumored to be an act of arson by a rival promoter, partially destroyed the venue. However, like a true fighter, it rose from the ashes, reopening later that year as "The Million-Dollar Sportatorium"1. This resilience mirrored the spirit of the boxers who would step into its ring, facing adversity with unwavering determination.

Throughout its existence, the Sportatorium hosted many boxing events, from local Golden Gloves tournaments to professional bouts that captured the nation's attention. One memorable occasion was the highly anticipated match between Willie Pep and Jacky Blair in 1953. Initially slated for the Sportatorium, the fight was moved to Fort Worth's Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum due to the aforementioned fire, but it still drew a staggering television audience of 40 million viewers.

Dallas' boxing legacy extends beyond the confines of the Sportatorium, with the city producing its share of world-class fighters. The most notable among them is Curtis Cokes, who claimed the world welterweight championship in 1966. Trained by the legendary Robert "Cornbread" Smith, Cokes' triumph put Dallas firmly on the global boxing map. The city's amateur boxing scene also flourished, with fighters like James Kinchen, a three-time Golden Gloves champion nicknamed "The Heat," honing their skills in local gyms and competitions.

In recent years, Dallas has continued to cement its status as a boxing mecca. The AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, set a new record for indoor boxing attendance in the United States when it hosted the super middleweight unification bout between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders in 2021. An astounding 73,126 fans packed the venue, surpassing the previous record set by Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks' 1978 rematch in New Orleans.

As Dallas looks to the future, its boxing heritage remains integral to the city's identity. From the hallowed grounds of the Sportatorium to the state-of-the-art AT&T Stadium, the spirit of sweet science continues to thrive in the Lone Star State's third-largest city. With each punch thrown and every champion crowned, Dallas reaffirms its place as an actual boxing city, where legends are born, and history is made in the squared circle.